Washington – U.S. Customs Officers Don’t Have Fever-Screening Technology Used in Asia

Washington – In an effort to flag potential carriers of the swine flu, some Asian countries reportedly are using scanners that automatically measure the body temperatures of people crossing the border and arriving at airports.

But automatic thermal scanning is not available to U.S. customs officers, who have to rely on their intuition when they think someone who is ill is entering the country.

The U.S. started border screenings over the weekend at all airports, seaports and land crossings. Anyone who exhibits flu symptoms — including fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting — is supposed to be isolated, given a surgical mask to wear and then screened by an officer from the Centers for Disease Control.

“Right now we’re just watching the symptoms and making sure that we’re being vigilant on people that are really displaying any kinds of symptoms that would have to do with any flu or cold,” said Lloyd Easterling, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

He told FOXNews.com U.S. customs officials do not have or use thermal scanners, but that such technology is probably not needed.

“While that may be something that’s being discussed for (the future), I don’t know that it’s necessarily required right now,” he said.

Instead, officers are conducting what’s known as “passive screening.” They have the daunting task of watching out for common symptoms that could reflect an everyday cold, or the swine flu that has countries around the world on alert.

Easterling said some travelers will alert customs officers that they’re not feeling well, and they’ll then be referred for screening. In other cases, customs officers will have to notice the symptoms.

President Obama said Monday that the government is “closely monitoring” emerging cases of swine flu, but he said the illness is not a cause for alarm.

Health organizations and agencies reported Monday that the number of confirmed cases in the United States had doubled to 40.

The United States is also preparing to release a travel advisory urging Americans to avoid “non-essential” travel to Mexico.